SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Z-axis does not work

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (IronMan) — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 22:24:16 +0000

You're welcome...glad to help!

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (seiji56) — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 20:10:29 +0000

Well, I got the axis to work, thanks to you, IronMan!! There was a problem in the RAMPs also, but it just worked when I tried to use two separate drivers. I didn't even know that was possible, so thanks for that post. Well, all axis are working now, but I still have some problems with the extruding... But, this would need to be in another topic. Thank you one more time!

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (IronMan) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 18:35:07 +0000

carl_m1968 wrote:

If you don't mind splicing wires, just put both motors in parallel by splicing the same color wires together and then connect them to just one Z axis output on the board. Another poster had the same issue and this was his solution that worked. In a nut shell you combine both motors on one output. This is actually a common configuration.
Just make sure the color sequence at each motor is the same as well.

He tried that already...this is a stumper!

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (carl_m1968) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 18:24:41 +0000

If you don't mind splicing wires, just put both motors in parallel by splicing the same color wires together and then connect them to just one Z axis output on the board. Another poster had the same issue and this was his solution that worked. In a nut shell you combine both motors on one output. This is actually a common configuration.

Just make sure the color sequence at each motor is the same as well.

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (seiji56) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 18:06:56 +0000

Yeah.. it has... Ok, I think I'll call technical support... maybe my RAMPS is the problem.

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (IronMan) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:58:25 +0000

Actually, one more minor thing to check...you said you re-flashed your firmware...if you are using Marlin, there is a line in Configuration_adv.h that should be commented out:

Make sure that line has the backslashes in it...

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (seiji56) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:48:52 +0000

Ok, the answer to all questions is 'yes'. The motors are not the problem as they run well if being driven as a X or Y motor. (plugged in as one) The paper clip test was ok... I will check one more time about the vref thing, and contact the vendor. But anyway, you helped a lot. Thanks for your time!

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (IronMan) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:38:49 +0000

OK...everything looks proper (btw, does the printer have a servo of some sort?)...

So, when you switched the plugs, the Z motors behaved the same way when driven by another driver?...then did the Z driver chip then drive the X (or Y) motor you switched with smoothly?

If so, put everything back and then separate the Z motors and try driving them one at a time...you may have a bad connection at the plug...it is unlikely to have two bad motors, especially since they are behaving the same.

One more thing to check would be to verify the motors coil pairing...take the plug off the board and jumper the green and black contacts together in the plug with a paper clip. Then try to manually turn both motors. They should both be very difficult to turn. Then do the same thing with the red and blue wire contacts.

After that, aside from the vref adjustment, I'm afraid I am at a loss...

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (seiji56) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:49:02 +0000

Ok, it seems it's not the driver chip... but here it is the picture:

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (IronMan) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:27:17 +0000

To rule out the driver chip, power down and try switching the Z motor plug for X or Y and try driving them that way.

Can you post a very clear straight-on picture of your RAMPS board showing all the connections?

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (seiji56) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:20:17 +0000

Yes, the X and Y move separately or together just fine. the only problematic axis is the Z.

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (IronMan) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 15:13:58 +0000

I see the vibration...but why are ALL your motors cycling back and forth at the same time?

Can you move the X and Y separately with no problem?

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (seiji56) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:59:16 +0000

I think not, but how do I check if it was blown? And if by "stepper chip" you meant the pololu driver chip, it works on other axes, so I think it's not the problem...
My problem looks like this:

But both of the Z-axis motors are acting like the left one on the video.

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (IronMan) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:52:02 +0000

Very strange...and you readjusted the vref potentiometer after splicing?

By any chance have you unplugged / plugged the stepper motors from the board with the power on? This is a bad practice as it can blow the stepper chip...

Re: Z-axis does not work

null@example.com (seiji56) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 14:46:00 +0000

In the end that didn't solve the problem. It's still just vibrating and not rotating... I just realized that it seems the motors rotate to one side and then to the another, very quickly, causing it to vibrate. I hope this detail can be of some help for you...